Accessibility Services

The Office of Academic Assistance is responsible for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and manages all student requests for access accommodations due to diagnosed disabilities. An applicant with a documented disability must satisfy the regular admission requirements, and the nature or existence of an applicant’s disability will not affect whether he or she is admitted to the College.

Accommodation Policy:

Once accepted to the College, students who wish to receive reasonable accommodations must take the following steps:

  • Complete and submit the Confidential Student Disclosure and Accommodations Request Form.
  • Along with the above-mentioned Disclosure form, provide recent documentation of a medical assessment and/or psycho-educational evaluation.  Documentation for a psychological disorder should be current within the last twelve (12) months.
    • Documentation should define the disability according to professional standards
    • Documentation should list the recommended accommodations
    • Documentation should explain the rationale for those accommodations with regard to the student’s specific situation
  • Throughout the student’s enrollment in the College, he or she is responsible for reinstating any accommodations by completing the Confidential Student Disclosure and Accommodations Request Form at the start of each academic year.
  • Reasonable accommodations related to coursework and classroom environments are determined on a case-by-case basis.  Examples of common accommodations include extended time on tests, a distraction-reduced testing environment, and minor modifications to methods of testing.
  • Students with disabilities are expected to maintain the same academic standards as non-disability students and are expected to seek academic support if necessary.

The Office of Academic Assistance invites students with disabilities to contact them at any time for consultation.  All questions and concerns will be treated confidentially.  Please note that neither the Accessibility Services Coordinator nor any other official of the College may discuss the student’s disability with the student’s parent(s), guardian(s), or instructors without the written consent of the student.

Belmont Abbey College Service and Emotional Support Animal Policy:

Belmont Abbey College (the “College”) recognizes the importance of Service and Emotional Support Animals (ESA) to individuals with disabilities. The policies in place regarding Service and Emotional Support Animals are to ensure that students with disabilities, who require the use of Service or Emotional Support Animals as a reasonable accommodation, receive the benefit of the work or tasks performed by such animals and/or the therapeutic support they provide, and to ensure that the rights of those students without said disabilities are also protected.

Although students may present a request and supporting documentation for an ESA at any time, if the request is made fewer than 30 days before the individual intends to move into college housing, a housing assignment cannot be guaranteed to meet an approved individual’s ESA needs during the first semester of occupancy.

Students can find the necessary forms to apply for an ESA in the Office of Academic Assistance, Accessibility Services.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact:
Kimberly Stallings, Accessibility Services Coordinator
KimberlyStallings@bac.edu
704-461-6228

Helpful Resources: